Okay everyone I havent posted in a couple weeks because I have been so down and discouraged...I had my surgery on 11/20 and did great the first few weeks but as the days went on and I got hungrier and hungrier I have been testing the waters....I have eated food very bad for me and a lot of it...I have no restriction, which I know is normal until first fill....But mentally I have been making the wrong choices....So I just want to know did anyone else go through this but were able to come out successful and jump back on? Please, any advice to get me back on track will help.....Many thanks

Hey Pink

Yeah - I kinda ate everything for the first month or so after I healed up. I still lost a few pounds - but I really didn't worry too much about what I was eating, only how much and how fast.

The best thing about the band is that it just sits quietly waiting for you to get it all together and get with the program.

If you have no restriction - get a fill. Don't wait. Even a fill won't make you eat the right stuff - so that part you have to do yourself.

Think veggies. Think low carb.

Every day is a new chance to do it right.

Take care!

I lost a little during the 2 week liquid phase post-op, then I held steady during mushies and GAINED once I went back to regular food until I got a good fill (fill #3) in week 9 post-op.

8 months later, I'm down 133 lbs.

Don't worry! Get good fills as soon as you can. Bandster Hell is the worst part of the journey (because you re-question your decision) and you're almost through it. Go back and back until your fill level is right and the weight will come off.

apinksoprano - did you ever tell us how that date turned out? I lost the thread. I hope you rocked it like a Hollywood starlet, girl!

As far as eating goes, you need to forgive yourself and take your tail to the doctor for a fill. Why the delay? Call and tell them you have no restriction and you NEED A FILL. Be assertive. Speak up for yourself.

And believe in yourself. Just like with dating, it's half the battle!

Nathalie

Hi Pink,

You and I got banded about the same time, 11/21 was my date. So far I've only lost 11 lbs, but I did get a fill last week because during the holidays I was eating lots of sweets and other high calorie foods. Once I got the fill, I noticed the difference immidately and now I'm back to eating small meals and staying away from the wrong food. Get a fill and that will put you back on track. You are doing well, keep working it.

Jess

If you just work the band, and concentrate on small, steady fills, until you reach good restriction, the band will definitely help you get back on track. The fact that you come back, and ask, shows that you still want to do this. That is what makes the band so wonderful, it is sitting there waiting to work, while you get your head back in the game.

Like everyone before me said---get started on the fill process, and that will give you the encouragement to begin eating right---and when the weight starts dropping, it is the best incentive of all!!!

Hang in there Pink---you have NOT failed!!! Many of us had the free for all---when we could! I had a very enjoyable holiday, I ate sweets, drank waaaay too much eggnog---and am now re-losing a few pounds, but it made me love my band that much more---I did not fall off the "band"wagon, I just had a minor layover!!!

Hang on---it will work!

Kat

Yes, I am going thru the same thing. I am so not eating what I should but it is so hard b/c I have no restriction what so ever. I get my first fill tomorrow! i am ready for it! Today I am craving something sweet!

Yes, we re normal!

Simply put I would go in for a fill. Best of luck.

You can always get back on the wagon with the band. I gained some weight last year and lost it and an additional 30 pounds or so since May. That is the greatest thing about the band.

The bad thing is these "vacations" from the band can stretch on and on and we have to pull ourselves back up on the wagon sooner rather than later.

Trust me on this.

Most doctors do a fill 3-6 wks after surgery....some even do a slight fill at time of the surgery. Without a fill, you might as well not have a band at all....it's there but it hasn't been made operational. Call your doctor!!

Thanks everyone for you support...I have called my doctor and have a fill scheduled for next week....So hopefully that will do the trick....I am feeling much better today, more motivated and have made great choices in eating today....Gotta start somewhere right...Thanks everyone

P.S. ABOUT MY DATE....Yes, he liked me alot actually just wasnt the guy for me...But, I went and got over my fears and it was nice to have someone with some interested for me..I will find the right one eventually just need to take care of me first!

"Testing the waters" has NOTHING to do with HUNGER....and EVERYTHING to do with old bad habits of overeating....the Dragons in the Stomach-cave are fearful of loosing THEIR control...."

Jack---I love the way you put that! Those dragons can get pretty nasty!

Jack,

You should write poetry. You are quite the wordsmith. I love reading your replies.

I am so happy I read this thread. I was feeling the same way as the originator and getting discouraged. I now know I just need to hang in there, make good decisions and schedule my first fill as soon as I can.